One day a year, couples end their quarreling and rejoice for a day of love, overpriced Hallmark cards and candies in heart-shaped boxes. On this same day, people without a significant other sit in their rooms and cry over a box of chocolates while binge watching sad Hallmark movies and curling up with a giant stuffed puppy. Or, if they’re lucky, a real dog or cat.

People approach Valentine’s Day with a mixture of excitement and despair. On one hand, the holiday is a valid excuse to eat more sweets than they can rightfully consume. On the other hand, if someone doesn’t have a significant other, the holiday can seem like a self-thrown pity party. However, being alone on Valentine’s Day can as be fulfilling as being in a relationship if one focuses on the positive aspects of the holiday.

Most people believe that in order to be happy on Valentine’s Day, they have to be in a relationship, but this is not completely true. Freshman Sean Vasquez has spent most of his Valentine’s Days happily alone.

“I usually celebrate Valentine’s Day alone.  It doesn’t really bother me that much that I don’t have anybody. I’ll do the same thing I do every year, just cry myself to sleep. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to go?” Vasquez joked.

Besides, Vasquez agrees that the drama that comes with relationships is enough to drive anyone mad. He also said that Valentine’s Day could be particularly troubling for someone with multiple romantic interests.

“I’ve seen one guy who waits in the mornings and makes out with three different girls every morning. One girl will leave and the other girl will come. It’s crazy,” Vasquez said.

Along with not experiencing relationship troubles during the holiday, Valentine’s Day themed candy is an aspect of the holiday that single people can also enjoy. Although senior Alexis Ernst has spent her most recent holidays in a relationship, she believes that the late February deals on Valentine’s candy is something that everyone can look forward to.

“After Valentine’s Day, all of the candy is on sale, so even if you are single it’s still a winning situation,” Ernst said.

While Valentine’s Day or, “Single People Awareness Day,” can be depressing for those without a love interest, companies like Singles Swag,are working hard to ease the pain of loneliness. They will provide monthly subscription boxes filled with trinkets for yourself if you subscribe.

People shouldn’t let the over-dramatized idea of Valentine’s Day get them down this Feb. 14. They should pick themselves up from their mound of blankets, put on their best outfit, and strut their stuff because they don’t need the approval of someone else to make them feel good about themselves. No one needs Cupid’s enchanted arrow or a hot date to have a magical Valentine’s Day.